Emory / Druid Hills: Trailers No More, Triple-Digit Wins, and a Massive Arts Glow-Up

Good morning, Emory and Druid Hills! Between a big win on the court and a long-awaited "I do" for the high school modernization, our corner of DeKalb is buzzing this week. Grab a coffee and let's dive into why your commute might look a little different soon.

- Big Stories — From the end of the "temporary" trailer era at DHHS to Emory’s absolute scoring clinic on the court, we’ve got the major headlines covered.
- Local Business Updates — Get ready to sweat and glow as Lulah Hills adds a pilates powerhouse and a skincare giant to its lineup.
- Upcoming Events — Whether you want to tour historic parks or watch Oscar favorites, your weekend calendar is looking officially packed.
- Local Government Discussion — We're tracking $21M in sewer fixes, a new "AI Dividend," and a major financial green light for our local high school renovation.
- Development & Construction Nearby — From $320k kitchen dreams to heavy machinery at Toco Hills, here is where the hammers are swinging this week.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

First contract approved for Druid Hills High School modernization plan (March 10, 2026) The saga of the Druid Hills High glow-up finally cleared a major hurdle this week. The school board officially approved the first contract for the massive modernization project, meaning we’re one step closer to ditching those "temporary" trailers for good. After years of advocacy from parents and students, it's nice to see some actual ink on paper.

DeKalb Schools releasing new closure scenarios on March 20 (March 12, 2026) Keep your eyes peeled this Friday because the district is set to drop new "scenarios" for school closures and expansions. It’s part of a massive master plan that has already sparked plenty of feelings—specifically from neighbors over at Ashford Park who are fighting to keep their doors open. Whether you have kids in the system or just care about your property value, you’ll want to see where these lines are being drawn.

Emory defeats Yeshiva 101-80, ending tournament run that united Jewish communities (March 14, 2026) Our very own Emory Eagles just put an end to a historic Sweet 16 run by Yeshiva University in a triple-digit blowout. While the win moves Emory forward, the game was a huge deal for the local Jewish community, serving as a massive point of pride and connection. Plus, dropping 101 points in a tournament game? That’s some serious hometown energy.

Unabashedly modern Frederick Walk project starts coming to market (March 10, 2026) If you’ve been driving past the construction on North Druid Hills and wondering what’s going on, the mystery is solved. The 18-unit Frederick Walk townhome project is officially hitting the market, replacing two old houses with a sleek, ultra-modern mini-neighborhood. It’s "woven into the verdant landscape," which is real estate speak for "there are still trees, but now there are also fancy rooftop decks."

CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson creating a DeKalb Arts Council (March 12, 2026) DeKalb is officially getting its own Arts Council thanks to a new push from CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. The goal is to bring more public art, culture, and (most importantly) funding to local creatives across the county. Expect things to get a little more colorful around the neighborhood soon—and no, we aren’t just talking about the spring pollen.

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Solidcore - opening - Get those leggings ready! This high-intensity pilates powerhouse is the latest to join the massive Lulah Hills project, promising to bring some serious core-shaking workouts to the North Druid Hills corridor. (March 12, 2026)

LaserAway - opening - The North DeKalb Mall overhaul (aka Lulah Hills) just got a little smoother now that this skincare giant is officially moving in to offer its famous laser treatments and aesthetic services to the neighborhood. (March 12, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get your walking shoes ready because the Phoenix Flies Park Tours are coming to Druid Hills this weekend! This is a fantastic opportunity to explore our neighborhood’s historic green spaces and stunning landscapes with local experts.

Monday, March 16
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Movie: Voyage of the Rock Aliens | GA on Film | Plaza Theater Atlanta
- Books and Babies Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Toddler Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- JWJI Colloquium featuring Oneya Fennell Okuwobi | Emory Bookstore
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Tuesday, March 17
- ECDS Buzz Event | Jones Room
- Weekday Winning: Toco Tuesdays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- The Making of a Mural: A Creativity Conversation with Artist Charly Palmer and Emory Arts Students | Michael C. Carlos Museum

Wednesday, March 18
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Wicked Good Wednesday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Thursday, March 19
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Friday, March 20
- Friday Movies | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

- Collective Memory | Full Radius Dance

Saturday, March 21
- Artful Stories for ages 3-6: One Small Spark | Michael C. Carlos Museum
- Winship Melanoma and Cutaneous Malignancies Symposium | Emory Conference Center Hotel
- Phoenix Flies Park Tour | Druid Hills Civic Association Events
- Family Yoga | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Teen Forest Lab: Insects | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Sunday, March 22
- Lecture: Richard Moore Compassion and Forgiveness | Michael C. Carlos Museum
- Meet a Ranger | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Phoenix Flies Park Tours | Druid Hills Civic Association Events
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

The commissioners spent a lot of time this week talking about what’s going on underground—specifically, a massive $21 million contract for gravity sewer line restoration. It’s the kind of unglamorous spending that prevents the kind of "surprises" no homeowner wants. On the tech front, the county is tap-dancing around the data center trend; they’re moving forward with a resolution to require health and environmental impact studies before any new data centers get land disturbance permits. It seems the board wants to look before they leap into becoming a data hub.

Public safety and social services also saw some heavy movement. The board approved over $3 million for police precinct repairs and greenlit the “DeKalb County Day Center” plan to address homelessness. Meanwhile, your local furry friends are staying in familiar hands: the county approved a $22.2 million contract extension for the Lifeline Animal Project to keep running the animal shelter through 2027. And for those who prefer the arts to infrastructure, funding was tucked away for "Shakespeare On The Green"—because even in a week dominated by sewer pipes, we need a little iambic pentameter.

Most notable to your neighborhood:

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee of the Whole, March 17 at 9:00 AM: This is the "pre-game" for the next full board meeting. Expect a deep dive into whether DeKalb should spin off its water and sewer functions into a separate Authority, a proposed new Vagrancy Ordinance, and—in a very 2026 move—the establishment of an "AI Tech Dividend Fund."

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

The DeKalb County School Board met on March 9 and essentially treated the district’s checkbook like it was burning a hole in their pocket, greenlighting tens of millions of dollars in spending. To keep the gears turning, they approved a $10 million contract for maintenance and repair supplies and another $12 million to keep the floors buffed via supplemental custodial services. They also set aside $2.9 million for interior lighting upgrades across the district—because, let’s be honest, nothing kills a learning vibe like flickering 1970s buzz-lights.

On the human resources front, the board is trying to tackle the staffing crisis with a $1 million recruitment and retention incentive program. This three-year initiative specifically targets "high-needs" schools, hoping that a little extra cash in the pocket will help keep talented teachers from jumping ship to neighboring districts. Meanwhile, sports fans and track stars saw some wins, too, with approvals for new bleachers at three schools and a track renovation over at Stephenson High.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
If you’ve been following the saga of the Druid Hills High School modernization, there’s finally some concrete movement. The board approved a $7.6 million architectural contract amendment for the project. While it’s not ground-breaking just yet, this is a massive financial commitment to the design and planning phase, signaling that the "long-planned" overhaul of the historic (and aging) campus is moving out of the "maybe" pile and into reality.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- Ridgecrest Ct — Someone is dropping a cool $320K on a serious upgrade including a new bonus room, a kitchen renovation, and a rear deck. Sounds like the perfect spot for a housewarming party we should probably be invited to.
- 1784 N Decatur Rd NE — Major renovations and site work are coming to this spot near the edge of Emory Village. Between the building updates and the site improvements, expect some construction crews to be a semi-permanent fixture for a while.
- 1300 Clifton Rd NE — Emory’s Goizueta Business School is getting a fresh look with a first-floor interior renovation of their office and work areas.
- Local Condominium Pool — Out with the old wood and in with the new. They are replacing the existing crosstie retaining walls around the pool area with a $143K segmental block system. It’ll be much sturdier, but expect some heavy machinery noise near the water.
- 1599 Clifton Rd NE — Emory is keeping their Emergency Preparedness (CEPAR) team on their toes with a 2nd-floor suite renovation.
- 1364 & 1547 Clifton Rd NE — Emory is going heavy on security this month, installing dozens of new access control doors, cameras, and intercoms.
- 18 Suburban Lots — Aside from the big stuff, there are 18 smaller residential projects starting up nearby. If you hear a chorus of hammers and saws this week, now you know why.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 236 & Shepherds Ln Signal Upgrade — We've got crews out on Lavista Road working on the lights at Shepherds Lane. It’s all about those signal upgrades right now, so keep your eyes peeled for bucket trucks and potential lane shifts if you're cutting through toward Lavista Park or Woodland Hills.
- SR 236 EB @ SR 155 Left Turn Lane Extension — Toco Hills regulars, take note! Work is officially active at the notorious corner of Lavista and Clairmont to extend the eastbound left turn lane. It is a bit of a squeeze through the intersection while the heavy machinery is out, but this should eventually help clear that frustrating backlog of cars trying to head toward Emory.

Construction Work Program
- SR-155 at North Druid Hills Rd & Azalea Circle — Heads up, Toco Hills! Plans are officially moving forward to bring a shared-use path and brand-new 6-foot sidewalks to this stretch. It’s currently in the "funded and waiting" phase, so enjoy the clear lanes while they last.
- SR-236 at North Druid Hills Road — More pedestrian-friendly vibes are coming to the Lavista/North Druid Hills intersection. We’re looking at a new shared-use path on the south side, which will be a game-changer for walkers once the orange cones eventually move in.
- Scott Blvd Complete Streets Plan — The massive overhaul of Scott Blvd is still on the books. This "Complete Streets" initiative aims to make the corridor safer for everyone (not just the speeders), and while it hasn't started yet, it's definitely one to keep on your radar for future commute shifts.
- Ponce De Leon Ave (SR-8) at Lullwater Creek — Our iconic bridge over Lullwater Creek is slated for some structural TLC. Maintenance on a bridge this central usually means lane shifts and "look-at-that" rubbernecking, so start thinking about your back-road alternatives now.
- Clairmont Rd (SR-155) at Lavista Rd (SR-236) — One of the area's busiest crossroads is set for a restriping project. It sounds low-impact, but even a fresh coat of paint at this intersection can make the Monday morning rush feel like a puzzle.
- Ponce De Leon Ave (SR-8) at Eastlake & North Ponce — Big changes are coming to the Ponce corridor with two roundabouts proposed at Eastlake and the North Ponce/Parkwood intersection. It’s a major shift for the neighborhood's traffic flow that’s currently working through the bidding process.
- Ponce De Leon Ave (SR-8) from South Ponce to Ridgecrest Rd — GDOT is prepping for significant drainage improvements along this stretch. If you’ve ever seen this road during a summer downpour, you know this is a much-needed (though likely messy) fix.
- North Druid Hills Road at the CSX Bridge — This major project covers the 2,600-foot corridor between Spring Creek and Willivee. It’s a bridge-heavy undertaking that’s officially funded and waiting to go; once it starts, it'll be the primary "avoid at all costs" zone for the area.

Service Requests
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Reported at Ponce de Leon Ave & Oakdale Rd and Clifton Rd NE & Haygood Dr NE. Here’s hoping your commute gets a little more "go" and a little less "whoa" very soon.